Facts about enabling

Jan 15, 2013

Fact: Enabling is when you don't allow another person to face the consequences of their actions

Fact: When you keep stepping in and cleaning up the consequences of the problem drinkers problem behavior, you enable the problem drinker to continue drinking comfortably without having to face any consequences

Fact: If you continue to enable and try to spare the problem drinker the consequences of their drinking, it may avert or reduce the very crisis that would prompt them to seek help

Fact: Enabling is not letting a person take responsibility for their behavior

Fact: Enabling is making excuses for another person or covering up for them

Fact: Alcoholism can be fed and made worse by loved ones enabling the alcoholic

Fact: Consequences are not allowed to happen because loved ones are too busy 'helping'

There is great love in accepting the alcoholic as a person trapped in an overpowering illness. Enabling doesn't really show that you care, it just shows that you are not thinking or acting rationally any more. So what can you do instead? You can learn how to stop enabling by going to Al-Anon meetings and open AA meetings, they are the people who can help you to see the whole situation more clearly.